IF is a one-of-a-kind film that mixes live-action and animation to portray the story of Bea, a little girl who gets the ability to see people’s imaginary friends, IFs, and finds out her neighbor Cal has the same power. The two then team up to reunite IFs with their old friends. Looking at the blend of live-action and animation, people might be wondering where was IF filmed. Here is all we know about the filming locations of IF.
New York City, New York
The live-action part of IF was entirely filmed in New York City, New York. The filming began in the city at the end of August 2022 and was wrapped up a few weeks later. The production team utilized various locations in the city to shoot pivotal scenes of the movie. Some shots were taken at Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park, located at 3059 West 12th Street, Coney Island, NYC.
The 150-foot-tall eccentric Ferris wheel has some cabins that slide along rails rather than being fixed to the rim, unlike traditional wheels. Built in 1920 by Charles Hermann and operated by Herman J. Garms Sr. and Fred, it survived Coney Island’s economic decline, remaining operational every year. In 1983, Fred sold it to the Vourderis family, who restored and continues to operate it. The wheel was designated a NYC landmark in 1989.
Ryan Reynolds was seen filming some of his scenes at the Bryant Park. Positioned between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, and 40th and 42nd Streets, the 9.6-acre public park is home to the iconic New York Public Library’s Main Branch. From its origins as Reservoir Square in 1847 to its renaming in honor of William Cullen Bryant in 1884, the park has undergone various transformations.
Following a period of neglect, extensive renovations in the 20th and 21st centuries revitalized the park, led by the Bryant Park Corporation, a private non-profit. Recognized as a National Register of Historic Places listing and a NYC landmark, Bryant Park is known for its lush lawns, shaded walkways, and recreational amenities.
A few sequences of IF were filmed at the 6th Avenue street, particularly outside Radio City Music Hall. Sixth Avenue is a key street in Manhattan that mainly hosts businesses along its route and runs northbound. Starting at Franklin Street in Tribeca, it passes through neighborhoods like SoHo, Greenwich Village, Chelsea, and the Garment District. Its northern end connects to Central Park South.
Historically, it extended beyond Central Park, but that part was renamed Lenox Avenue in 1887 and later co-named Malcolm X Boulevard in 1987. Apart from IF many other films and shows have also been shot in New York City, including Ripley, 3 Body Problem, House, The Sopranos, Fallout, Euphoria, Succession, and Madame Web.